The new Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu has acknowledged that the Anglican Church is facing a possible schism over the issue of homosexuality in the Church. The first black Anglican Archbishop in Britain gave a sharp warning to the two sides to “cool it”.

|TOP|In a Reuters interview, Dr Sentamu spoke about racism in the UK and advised people to be vigilant and stamp out racism.

The Ugandan-born Archbishop was officially enthroned into his new position as the Church of England’s number 2, on the same day as the murderers of black teenager Anthony Walker were convicted of a racist attack.

Although the Anglican Church is 450-years old it is now facing one its most testing times in its history. When Reuters asked Dr Sentamu whether he believed that the Church was heading for a schism, he answered, “It may happen. I have got to be realistic.”

The current divisions and splits taking place between the different arms of the worldwide Church has stemmed from an event two-years ago when the Episcopal Church in the USA publicly ordained the gay American bishop Gene Robinson. Coinciding with this, the Anglican Church of Canada also began openly blessing same-sex marriages. This triggered off a huge uproar amongst Church members across the globe and the two sides have been fighting at escalating levels ever since.

Dr Sentamu said, “What I would say to the two sides is cool it, just cool it.”

|AD|It is hoped in the Church that Dr Sentamu’s appointment will allow a new brighter era to open up, as he seems perfectly placed to act as a peacemaker and bridge negotiations between the liberal North Americans, and the Churches in Africa.

One of the most outspoken clergymen in the debate has been the Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, who has been leading more than half of the world’s Anglican archbishops against the liberal moves that have been made over the past two-years.

In particular, a loud call has been made for the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, Dr Rowan Williams to take firm action against those liberalising their Church structures without backing from the other member Churches in the Communion.

Looking to calm down the situation, Dr Sentamu said, “It is just like a family that has decided to have a mighty row. If you are having a mighty row, it is better to cool it. I hope I will allow the two sides that seem to be polarised to be able to listen to one another.”

Another of the Archbishop’s most prominent stances has been against racism, and even on the day of his ordainment at York Cathedral, one of the most high-profile murder cases came to a conclusion as two men were convicted of the murder of a black youth, Anthony Walker.

After the trial, the boy’s mother, Gee Walker, commented that she was satisfied with the verdicts and that she had forgiven her son’s killers.

Praising this compassion and forgiveness, Dr Sentamu said, “That is the most powerful thing anybody could say.”

Also supporting this stance, Rev Joel Edwards, the General Director of the Evangelical Alliance stated, “Anthony’s life was brutally taken from him in a senseless attack. His killers gave no consideration to him or his family, who have suffered so much by his death. We stand by the Walker family who have so bravely spoken a Christian message of forgiveness at this difficult time and pray that his life would not have been in vain.”

Dr Sentamu, has himself been the victim of racism since his appointment was announced, as he has received hate mail smeared in human excrement. He said, “People have to be vigilant. There is a dark side to all of us.”